Original Art Piece

Steadfast

Original 36”x36” acrylic on board, with a custom modern floating frame. Wired, and ready to hang.

Coming up with a name for this painting was really challenging. I wanted the name to portray the mood and the feeling he emanates as he sits regally on his wild throne. He is the King, but that’s all too obvious. As I sat with him month after month in my studio, painstakingly and slowly painting each hair, it became this unspoken feeling I had looking into his eyes.

The best way I can articulate with the word Steadfast. The name Kostas means steadfast and constant, and that’s how I feel about this King I’ve been spending so much time with. He is like an anchor in his wild kingdom: ruler of all. And as he looks over his vast territory and surveys all of his kingdom from this big rock and the creatures he rules over he has this proud vibe.

I am a self-taught Canadian wildlife artist based in Calgary, AB. I have no credentials: (no art school or professional classes). I am super unqualified to be an artist in any capacity. Here’s a bit about how I got here:

It wasn’t until I became gravely ill with postpartum depression after the birth of my third child that I found myself trying water color painting as a form of therapy. I began painting because I HAD to, and: It worked. Without trying to make anything particularly wonderful I was free to create and all of a sudden I was SET free… Painting was the only time that my brain would rest, therefore art became an essential part of healing my brain. You could argue that art saved my life-- I was truly very ill. If I hadn’t needed art to save my brain I don’t know if I ever would have discovered the talent l have been given!

As I explored different mediums, I moved into acrylic landscape painting and oil Impressionism and I landed in the world of soft pastels and acrylic wildlife painting. I was mesmerized with the depth of color I could create in blending pastel pencil colors together. I had painted many animals in water color, but as I attempted animals in pastel there was a moment where I sat back in my chair and found myself staring into the eye of a creature that seemed to have come to life on my paper! I was hooked. Creating lifelike animals has been my focus ever since!

I live in Calgary Alberta, Canada where I was born and raised with my husband of over 16 years and our 3 adorable kiddos. I am a wife and a mom first and I have cherished the privilege of getting to stay home raising my kids while I now pursue my full time artist career. I love getting outside, and summer days at the beach. I love late night fires with neighbors and games nights with friends.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

I am passionate about painting wild animals and communicating something words cannot express through my work. I aim to create art that draws you in, holds your attention and speaks to your soul.